The Hurricanes Thread

[Bazinga]

Because I'm sure they're more Hurricanes fans than me... Now one in the US, that's a different story.

First order of business, although we lost the finals I have to admit this was the best Hurricanes season I've seen so far. I loved watching this exciting fast paced running rugby like this, it really made the "Expect the Unexpected" slogan a reality this season and I hope we can build off of it. Though it will be sad to see Jeremy Thrush, Chris Smylie, 3 Centers in Ma'a Nonu (one of my all time favorites), Ray Lee-Lo and Captain Conrad Smith go to European clubs we still are getting Pita Ahki from the Blues and we as always some great players on our roster including Julian "The Bus" Savea who just signed a five year extension with the NZRU, who can really make a huge impact especially coming into next year. though with the elephant in the room known as Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith's departure they will be a challenge to replace I can see the Hurricanes making a possible playoff appearance but I'm not going to get my hopes up even if Chris Boyd stays on board as the coach. It's certain that having five of our players leaving will hit us hard but hopefully next season will be interesting like this one for all of us... Provided that we can understand the absolute cluster**** that Super Rugby will become starting next year.

Go The Canes!

 

[William18]

I think all the NZ teams are going to be weaker next year. Senior ABs are leaving and there is also the 7's. There is big hole in our midfield so how we do next season depends on how well we fill that gap. I really wish Ray Lee-Lo stuck around.

 

[Bazinga]

Next year is going to be rough to say the least. At least we aren't the Blues.

 

[Kiwi_]

I'm hoping we defend the ***le next year. I'm thinking Highlanders, Brumbies and Waratahs will be the teams to beat next season. Hurricanes will no doubt still be strong, but there's some massive holes with some of the guys leaving, irreplaceable players.

 

[Larksea]

got to feel for the canes, best team through the year. Be best season in the franchises history only to just fall short and now they are the only NZ franchise without a super rugby ***le.

Losing Smith & Nonu is a massive loss. The kind of loss you would think just could not be rebuilt in one season considering they are when all is said and done arguably the greatest mid field combination the game has ever seen?

I always hated the hurricanes, Latte swilling, designer tattoo's & haircut, poncey layers from the capital are the natural born rivals of a waikato farm raised lad like myself. But the last few years off the back of guys like Coles, Savea, Barrett, conrad, Perenara and Andre Taylor now Skudder they are very much like the chiefs the most watchable teams in the competition.

I think these days with the regional factor of the super rugby franchises seriously devalued I just like watching all NZ teams beat Aussie & SA teams

I get the feeling the Canes will be strong again next year. I think they will always be strong if Barrett is injury free, when he's injury free he's the best 10 in NZ IMO.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Next year is going to be rough to say the least. At least we aren't the Blues.

@Bazinga- what's with this "Hurricanes this", "us" etc? I thought you were a classy Stormers supporter!?!

 

[Bazinga]

I'd rather watch rugby at 10 am to noon rather than wake up at two thirty in the morning to watch rugby haha. Plus Cape Town is an amazing city
Don't judge me.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'd rather watch rugby at 10 am to noon rather than wake up at two thirty in the morning to watch rugby haha. Plus Cape Town is an amazing city
Don't judge me.

Fair enough.
Right!
No problem.

 

[Bazinga]

By the way is there a place where I can some Stormers gear in the US? Like a jersey?

 

[ShonH]

I am more concerned about the departure of Nonu than Conrad Smith. Watching Wellington gives me some hope as they appear to be solid. The Hurricanes are my favorite team with the Chiefs in as a close 2nd. I expect both to be competitive. Who can tell me who the "heir apparent" is for the two Hurricanes center positions? Also, will Damian McKenzie be the replacement for Marty MCkenzie at 10 for the Chiefs?

 

[nickdnz]

I am more concerned about the departure of Nonu than Conrad Smith. Watching Wellington gives me some hope as they appear to be solid. The Hurricanes are my favorite team with the Chiefs in as a close 2nd. I expect both to be competitive. Who can tell me who the "heir apparent" is for the two Hurricanes center positions? Also, will Damian McKenzie be the replacement for Marty MCkenzie at 10 for the Chiefs?

1. Damien McKenzie was probably already ahead of his brother - but he will still likely play at 15, with Aaron Cruden set to return at the Chiefs.

2. For the Hurricanes midfield it will be very interesting. Pita Ahki is probably the front runner for the 12 slot. Willis Halaholo may be an option for centre, as well as the young Vince Aso. Ngani Laumape was signed - I can't imagine he'll be amazing if I'm honest. I think the best bet for the Canes is to recruit after this ITM Cup.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

1. Damien McKenzie was probably already ahead of his brother - but he will still likely play at 15, with Aaron Cruden set to return at the Chiefs.

2. For the Hurricanes midfield it will be very interesting. Pita Ahki is probably the front runner for the 12 slot. Willis Halaholo may be an option for centre, as well as the young Vince Aso. Ngani Laumape was signed - I can't imagine he'll be amazing if I'm honest. I think the best bet for the Canes is to recruit after this ITM Cup.

Sean Wainui may be an option. Local lad (well, Taranaki, but local enough). I wouldn't mind seeing him at the Chiefs, to be honest, but with Ngatai, Tamanivalu, Lienert-Brown and Horrell (plus SBW) there isn't really any space.

 

[Jaguares]

I'm hoping we defend the ***le next year. I'm thinking Highlanders, Brumbies and Waratahs will be the teams to beat next season

OMFG!

@Kiwi_; is talking well about Aussie teams!! Are u???

 

[ShonH]

1. Damien McKenzie was probably already ahead of his brother - but he will still likely play at 15, with Aaron Cruden set to return at the Chiefs.

2. For the Hurricanes midfield it will be very interesting. Pita Ahki is probably the front runner for the 12 slot. Willis Halaholo may be an option for centre, as well as the young Vince Aso. Ngani Laumape was signed - I can't imagine he'll be amazing if I'm honest. I think the best bet for the Canes is to recruit after this ITM Cup.

I am inclined to agree with you about Damian McKenzie. He definitely shows more potential than Marty. I was wondering if they might slot him for the 10 after watching him there for Waikato last weekend. Perhaps the Canes can recruit Sam Burgess, the folks at Bath do not seem to appreciate his talents .

 

[nickdnz]

I am inclined to agree with you about Damian McKenzie. He definitely shows more potential than Marty. I was wondering if they might slot him for the 10 after watching him there for Waikato last weekend. Perhaps the Canes can recruit Sam Burgess, the folks at Bath do not seem to appreciate his talents .

Damien played a bit at 10 for the Chiefs too. I think he will be their second option at 10, but as I said with Cruden back it he may stay at second option. Marty McKenzie is going down to the Crusaders at any rate - so he will have certainly jumped him.

I don't even like Burgess at centre . I'll take my chances on any number of young centre options in NZ becoming better players than him if I'm honest.

- - - Updated - - -

Wainui is a good shout. Anyone know what is happening with TJ Faiane? Or Goodhue?

 

[Kiwi_]

Damian is definitely a better player than Marty, with the right coaching and a bit of consistent decision making in his game, he can become an All Black.

 

[ShonH]

Damian is definitely a better player than Marty, with the right coaching and a bit of consistent decision making in his game, he can become an All Black.

I am wondering if he will get big enough to avoid injury. I always worry that he will get broken when he runs through the lines. He has no fear.

 

[ShonH]

Looks like the Chiefs and the Hurricanes just took a hit from the NZ 7s squad. May ruin my whole Super 15 season.

 

[GoTheNaki]

Thought I'd revive this a little, seems as though I'm a Canes fan.

Next year is going to be rough to say the least. At least we aren't the Blues.

Well... I'm not sure how you can say that...

Kirwan was never a good coach. With the amount of All Blacks and talent that the Blues had, even with the NZ conference quite stacked, they should have done a lot better than they did. Now with Umaga, he's done well so far with Counties, we'll see what he can do. You forget that all the Hurricanes needed was a coaching change, Hammett was also a terrible, terrible coach.

Even with the Blues losing Woodcock, Mealamu, Saili, Halai, and Piutau..which looks ridiculous on paper. They have players like Kaino, Luatua, A. Ioane, Faumuina, Tuipulotu in the forwards... That's nothing to sniff at. And in the backs you have Moala, Li, Lam, R. Ioane, Nanai, Nock, West, and Visinia... Really not a bad backline, full of talent.. Average age would be 21/22 though. The Blues have a lot of All Black potential in those players.

Looks like the Chiefs and the Hurricanes just took a hit from the NZ 7s squad. May ruin my whole Super 15 season.

SBW was always going to go to 7s.. And with someone like Tamanivalu, who was told by NZRU to stay at the Chiefs, or so I heard, would have been awesome if he went to the Hurricanes ala Fekitoa/Naholo leaving the Blues and turning into an All Black. I don't think you lose too much. You have Lienert-Brown too, he might be one for the future. But Messam, oh boy, that's such a big loss. But I guess... He's 31.. So...

Hurricanes managed to not lose Barrett to 7s, praise the rugby lord. And it doesn't really seem like we will lose either Savea brother. I mean, the likeliest is Ardie, but with Richie retiring from the All Blacks after the WC, you have the pool of Cane/Todd/Ardie, and I really think Ardie is going to change the way of rugby at 7, when he becomes an All Black. He's a forward, that has all the physical tools of a 7, and can run as fast as a winger, maybe faster than a lot of wingers... We have this debate on whether Ardie or Julian is faster in my household.

Someone mentioned Sean Wainui.. He's a nice project, but he's not Super Rugby material, yet. Got the size to be extremely potent.

My housemate likes Proctor for a centre position.. I don't feel a lot for Proctor tbh. Maybe Laumape... He was a monster in the centres when he played rugby at secondary school level. I know guys that had the misfortune to play him. I would honestly back him for a centre position, it's not like he's been a league-y all his career.

I know we've lost the best centre pairing in the world, but I feel we will manage. We have a lot of options blasting forward, even if we lack defence in the middle a little bit. However, I'm sure our coach will cover that up.

Damian is better than Marty, the only thing that might be debatable is composure. I question his size on an international scale though.

Tried to track TJ Faiane down, as I too, thought the kid has a lot of talent.. No idea where he is. Last I can find is Auckland ITM Cup team, maybe injured? Maybe in their Development team? Hard to find..